Scott McLaughlin’s Dramatic Indy 500 Crash: Survives and Reflects

In a dramatic turn of events during the practice session for the 2025 Indianapolis 500, Scott McLaughlin crashed hard, leaving his car in ruins and his team scrambling to get a backup ready.

The New Zealander, driving the #3 Pennzoil Chevy for Team Penske, lost control coming out of Turn 2. The car slammed into the wall, went airborne, and flipped onto its side.

Somehow, McLaughlin walked away without a scratch, though he looked shaken and pretty devastated. He knew this crash would hit his team hard, especially with the race so close.

The Incident: A Closer Look

Monday morning’s practice session turned ugly when McLaughlin lost traction out of Turn 2. His car spun out and smacked the wall at high speed, tearing a wheel from the chassis and leaving the rest a mess.

With just 45 minutes left in practice, he had no shot at the Fast 12 anymore. That sealed his fate—he’d start the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 from 10th position.

McLaughlin’s Immediate Reaction

After doctors checked him out, McLaughlin faced the media, looking frustrated and apologetic. “I’m fine. I’m just really, really, really, really sorry for everyone at Team Penske and my guys on the #3 car. Everyone that builds these fantastic cars.”

He admitted he felt the car “talking” to him and knew he should’ve backed off. Still, he kept pushing. “Was it a risk? Probably wasn’t, but I’m incredibly sad,” he said.

Team Penske’s Challenging Day

The crash was just one headache for Team Penske. Josef Newgarden and Will Power also had their cars pulled from qualifying for inspections, piling on the stress.

Now, McLaughlin will probably need a backup car for the race. That’s another curveball for a team already under pressure.

Gratitude and Resilience

Even after all that, McLaughlin made a point to thank everyone who keeps drivers safe. “Very grateful to IndyCar, the safety, my team, SAFER barriers, and everything like that because it kept me safe,” he said.

He tried to stay positive, adding, “I’ve just got to get on with it. They can build a car for me fantastic. I’ve got the best crew on pit lane.”

Impact on the Indianapolis 500

This crash throws a wrench into McLaughlin’s race plans. Starting from 10th, he’ll have to lean on his own skills and trust his crew to get through the mayhem of Indy.

It’s a reminder, honestly, of how risky this sport is and why safety matters so much.

Looking Ahead

Now, McLaughlin and Team Penske have to regroup and get the backup car ready. His determination—and the crew’s hustle—will make all the difference as they try to bounce back and fight for a shot at the win.

Conclusion

Scott McLaughlin’s crash during the 2025 Indianapolis 500 practice session really highlights just how unpredictable motorsport can get. Even the best teams face setbacks like this.

Team Penske now has to regroup and rethink their approach, but honestly, McLaughlin’s grit and the crew’s know-how could still turn things around. If you want to dive deeper into what happened and hear McLaughlin’s own thoughts, check out the full article on Speedcafe.